Amtrak Guest Rewards - Coast Starlight PDX-LAX Inquiry

This Monday April 16th I will board the Coast Starlight (11) in Portland Oregon for a trip to
Los Angeles in a Superliner bedroom. I have followed the arrival & departure history for
this train for months as well as reading all the tips and information I could find for my first
overnight rail trip. One thing I haven't been able to find is how many cars there might be
on the southbound Coast Starlight. I would guess it varies depending on demand
but does anyone have a good estimate or a site where I might find the answer?
Sure appreciate anyone's help.

Below is the "consist" taken from the amtraktrains.com discussion forum. It reflects what was on my northbound trip last month, except we had a lounge substitute for the parlor car. Your reservation will show your car # (11XX) so you can get an idea where your room will be.

COAST STARLIGHT

----|---- —— Heritage Baggage
1140|1440 —— Superliner Dorm/Sleeper
1132|1432 —— Superliner Sleeper
1131|1431 —— Superliner Sleeper
1130|1430 —— Superliner Sleeper
----|---- —— Hi-Level Pacific Parlour
----|---- —— Superliner Diner
----|---- —— Superliner Sightseer Lounge
1111|1411 —— Superliner Coach
1112|1412 —— Superliner Coach/Arcade
1113|1413 —— Superliner Coach
1114|1414 —— Superliner Coach*

* seasonal

I took the same train from Portland to L.A. in March of last year. Enjoyed it. Hope you have the historic Pullman Car on your train (as is normally the case, though not for the above poster). http://www.trainweb.com/accommod/parlour.html It's kind of fun and is where the free wine tasting(s) will take place. When I took the trip south, the passengers apparently tasted too much wine the first day, so there was none the second day. The Pullman car has a small dining area for dinner and, I believe, breakfast. Only those with sleeper accommodations can use it (they can also use the regular, rather nice, dining car, which has a larger menu). The Pullman Car has a small "theatre" downstairs for films, though no one was watching when I looked in on it.

I had a roomette (to myself) not a bedroom, and found I had more room, and a better view, in the observation car, dining car and even the Pullman Car, so I spent little time in my compartment except to sleep. When my wife and I had a roomette on the Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland, she found the compartment, especailly, the upper bunk, a bit small. Showers are downstiars (hint: if you use them in the afternoon or evening, the wait, if any, is less).

Looks like you'll be in the Siskiyou mountains at sunrise. Should be nice.

Below is the "consist" taken from the amtraktrains.com discussion forum. It reflects what was on my northbound trip last month, except we had a lounge substitute for the parlor car. Your reservation will show your car # (11XX) so you can get an idea where your room will be.

COAST STARLIGHT

----|---- —— Heritage Baggage
1140|1440 —— Superliner Dorm/Sleeper
1132|1432 —— Superliner Sleeper
1131|1431 —— Superliner Sleeper
1130|1430 —— Superliner Sleeper
----|---- —— Hi-Level Pacific Parlour
----|---- —— Superliner Diner
----|---- —— Superliner Sightseer Lounge
1111|1411 —— Superliner Coach
1112|1412 —— Superliner Coach/Arcade
1113|1413 —— Superliner Coach
1114|1414 —— Superliner Coach*

* seasonal

The above is a little confusing for me. I am not sure if I count all the cars, just the ones with numbers or... The dining car does not numbers to the left but I am sure you had one. Based on the above how many cars were on your train?

Looks like you'll be in the Siskiyou mountains at sunrise. Should be nice.

I am afraid we will be long past the Sick-0f-Yous ;) by sunrise according to the schedule. We are due to
arrive in Sacramento at 650AM.
BTW Amtrak confirmed we are suppose to have the Parlour Car so fingers crossed.

11 cars is the "normal" consist, and two locomotives.

Showers are downstiars (hint: if you use them in the afternoon or evening, the wait, if any, is less).Does the Coast Starlight have revenue pax in the the sleeper trans-dorm? I was in booked there my first trip on the CA Zephyr. It's a great place to shower -- unless you get up when the crew does, there's never any wait.

Thanks leebids1 for the consist for the train. I am taking my first Coast Starlight trip on May 21st southbound from SEA to LAX and I could not be more excited. I am in Superliner Roomette car 1132, Room 008. Does anyone know if this will be on the coast side or the inland side? If there is availability and I have not yet printed out tickets, can a ticket agent move the room to the coast side if it is on the inland side? Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Thanks leebids1 for the consist for the train. I am taking my first Coast Starlight trip on May 21st southbound from SEA to LAX and I could not be more excited. I am in Superliner Roomette car 1132, Room 008. Does anyone know if this will be on the coast side or the inland side? If there is availability and I have not yet printed out tickets, can a ticket agent move the room to the coast side if it is on the inland side? Thanks for any assistance you can provide.Perhaps the CS is more predictable, but on the two cross-country trips I've taken, after having asked the same "which way will my window face" the consensus has been - there's no way of knowing.

Regardless -- you shouldn't be spending many daylight hours stuck in your roomette. It's much better scenery in the diner/Pacific Parlour/Sightseer Lounge car.